Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia - opal town

Find Australian Black Opals by fossicking or staking a mine claim

Jan 28, 2009

Lightning Ridge, NSW, is the only source of Australian Black Opal which is eagerly sought by visitors who do a little fossicking and often stay on to stake a mine claim.

It may be fossicking for opals that first draws the visitor to The Ridge, as it is affectionately known locally, but the irreverent, devil-may-care attitude of the locals adds to the charm of the place and encourages like-minded freedom-loving visitors to stay forever.

The anti-establishment character of this opal town is first evident to the visitor in the town sign, which states: LIGHTNING RIDGE - Population: ?

This famous question mark is one of the town’s proudest boasts: it thumbs the nose at statisticians, bureaucrats, and especially the taxation department – anyone who attempts to pin down the population.

The Lightning Ridge Character

Rumour has it that, at the last Australian census, the government tripled the census collectors and peppered every house and foxhole with census forms, arriving at the conclusion that 2602 adults live at Lightning Ridge. Problem is – the local baker sells 5000 loaves every day! The Walgett Shire Council, which provides services to the town, allows for 7000 residents.

If a man is running from the law, the taxation department or a wife, then he’ll likely wind up at The Ridge. This small town has such a multi-racial population that 55 different languages are spoken – by coincidence, the same number of language translators supplied for the Beijing Olympics. In truth, what really attracts such a diverse population is the lure of rough opal, the chance to get rich quick and a free-and-easy, anti-establishment lifestyle that even makes going broke worthwhile.

A Lightning Ridge Paradox

It’s hard to know what to believe about Lightning Ridge. Visitors can see a miner with straggly beard and floppy hat, showing another a new-found rough opal, holding it on the palm of his hand. Pubs and clubs do a roaring trade, the tourism industry is a huge income-earner and there is a general air of prosperity about the town.

Nevertheless, the Australian Bureau of Statistics records that 7 out of 10 Lightning Ridge residents live in a household where government cash benefits are the principal source of income. The assessed poverty rate is twice the Australian average. It has also been asserted that the value of the Australian opal industry is difficult to determine because much dealing in loose opals is done ‘under the counter’.

Lightning Ridge Opals

The Lightning Ridge opal is famous throughout the world – especially the brilliant black opal with its flashes of red, blue and green iridescent fire on a black ground. Dealer Opals down Under, suggests that a cut top-quality black opal can bring $30,000 AUD per carat.

Many current local residents came for a two week holiday to try their luck, fell in love with the place and stayed to get a licence for a mining claim. Their makeshift homes and battered caravans next to jealously-guarded claims give the Ridge its 'Wild West' character.

Opal FossickingMany holiday-makers come to fossick. The NSW Department of Primary Industry (DPI) defines fossicking as the non-commercial recreational search for opals, and no more than 100 grams of gemstone can be removed in any 48 hour period. . No fossicking licence is required in NSW.

Fossickers must ensure that they aren't trespassing on someone's claim, as tempers are short and shotgun barrels are long. The tourist office or DPI office in Lightning Ridge can direct the enquirer to mullock heaps that are free to scavenge.

Should the visitor fall in love with the town and decide to stay on and stake a mining claim, he or she must go to the DPI office in town. It is compulsory to attend a mine safety course, as many amateurs and old-timers have lost their lives in poorly reinforced mines. It is also necessary to attend an environmental awareness course.

That done, with map of available areas in hand, the new miner wanders about in the scrub, finds a likely spot and stakes his or her claim. It must be a precise 50 meter by 50 meter square, marked out on each corner with steel pegs. They must establish the co-ordinates.

The miner fills out a Mineral claim, pays the lodgement fee of $530, $400 of which is a security bond, goes back home and starts digging!

Lightning Ridge Miners' AssociationIt is also considered politic to join the Lightning Ridge Miners Association, which strives to keep mining as an individual operation where the little man can get a chance against giant corproations. They raise income for the organisation by providing several puddling tanks where opal dirt can be washed.

Many lucky miners who find that elusive nobby in all that opal dirt, take pleasure in creating their own fine piece of opal jewellery, so it is not unusual to see wives and girlfriends wearing spectacular opal rings. Most miners, however, choose to sell their rough opals to dealers (mostly Japanese) who come through town at regualr intervals. There is also an online opal auction. Keen gem-cutter or lapidary enthusiasts can place a bid on an opal and try to grab a bargain.

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